Oil Life - Time vs Mileage

[mcfarlrm]

ST became a secondary/weekend driver this year. I've barely put 3,000 miles on it since beginning of the year. I'm still changing at intervals of roughly 2-3 a year using a synthetic blend. Oil looks brand new each time and at appropriate level. Question being, should I stick to the time recommended or mileage recommended intervals at this point?

 

[enphor]

I'd go by the oil manufacturer's specification. Typically unless stated motor oil is usually XX miles or 6 months whichever first. The 6 months is there for situations where people go on many short trips which actually wears out oil quicker than just steady long distance mileage because the engine isn't staying at operating temps for long.

Some oils like Amsoil Signature full synth state a XX miles or 1 year interval. They formulate it to last and of course you pay for it in the premium price.

I WFM and put very little miles on my vehicle. I opt for using Amsoil signature and will be changing at 5K intervals or somewhere between 6 months - 1 year intervals depending on how I feel I've been driving it for the year (long trips, lots of short trips, etc). I rest easy knowing I should be good for the full 1 year interval if I don't ever put on 5K miles throughout the year.

 

[Cruising68]

I change at 1 year if I don’t reach mileage. Since retiring I went from 40k miles per year to 4-5k. Lots of short trips are harder on oil compared to a lot of highway driving.


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[Cdubya]

On my Miata, I only drive it 3k miles a year. I change the filter every other year but change the oil (synthetic) every year.

 

[Caster]

Mileage over time every time with synthetic. Many articles on this and reputable articles are always mileage over time. I have a giant lifted show truck that doesn’t get much mileage at all from year to year - it is a 2004 F150 with just under 17,000 miles on it. The oil gets changed once a year or every other depending on use. I use full synthetic Mobil-1. I would do it yearly with a vehicle using synthetic blend just as my own sanity check.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I always do every 6 months or 5k miles. I do this especially because I take our car on a lot of smaller runs around town, so it’s peace of mind for me.